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Survey results from the second round of community input were presented to the Community Climate Advisory Committee (CCAC) last week. The survey identified community priorities through an enhanced focus on feedback from vulnerable populations. In-person surveys were prioritized in neighborhoods with higher social vulnerability. The following chart shows how the 278 resident responses compare to Cedar Rapids’ overall demographics.
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The survey data reflects a higher or equal representation of socially vulnerable demographics compared to the City overall. This has been a goal of the public input process for this plan. Residents were asked to choose their top 3 priorities out of 12 potential CCAP initiatives. Residents were asked to choose their top priorities out of 12 potential initiatives for the Community Climate Action Plan. The top five initiatives identified in this round of feedback were:
- Healthy Food Access,
- Green & Healthy Homes,
- ReLeaf Cedar Rapids,
- City-School Partnerships, and
- Green Corridors.
The CCAC provided additional feedback following the survey results, which will be incorporated into draft Initiatives & Actions for the plan. The draft will be presented to CCAC on July 27. Feedback from City staff, community focus groups, and City Council will be sought in August and September. The plan will be finalized and presented to Council for adoption on September 28.
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Cedar Rapids Earns $7 Million Funding Agreement for Watershed Work
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Services announced recipients of its 2020-21 Regional Conservation Partnership Project (RCPP) funding on Monday, April 26. The City of Cedar Rapids’ project, entitled Cedar River Source Water Partnership (CRSWP), will receive $7,028,362 in RCPP funding to improve water quality in the Cedar River.
Learn more
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What is Urban Agriculture?
Urban agriculture has become increasingly popular in recent years, but it is not a new concept. In the 1940s millions of people planted “victory gardens” to lessen the strain placed on the U.S. food system during World War II. Urban agriculture involves food production for personal consumption, market sale, donation, or education, all within a city. Urban agriculture can take many forms, including: farm stands, farmers’ markets, community, school and rooftop gardens, year-round vegetable production in greenhouses, orchards, and even the raising of chickens, fish, and bees.
The City of Cedar Rapids supports urban agriculture through its Zoning Code and other City ordinances to allow community gardens, farm stands, fruit and nut trees, beehives, aquaculture, and backyard chickens. For example, the Urban Agriculture Ordinance allows community gardens on private property with the property owner's permission, to encourage small-scale farming within the city. In addition, the City provides more than 300 public garden lots (at Ellis and Tuma Parks and near Gardner Golf course) that offer safe public use of land for gardening. Around the community, there are fruit and nut trees on City-owned property, free for anyone to pick.
Urban agriculture in its many forms benefits communities in many ways, promoting health, food security, environmental sustainability, and economic vitality.
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What can you do?
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Start growing! Find out how you can raise chickens, bees or start a community garden with these links:
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Special uses (Beekeeping & Urban Agriculture)
- Urban Chicken Ordinance
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Buy local! Check out local farmers' markets. Noelridge Farmers Market is held Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:30-5:30 pm.
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Growing Sustainable Communities Conference | |
October 12–13, 2021
Check out one of the top sustainability conferences in the Midwest!
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Cedar Rapids City Hall Earns Silver Award from The League of American Bicyclists' Bicycle-Friendly Business Program
City Hall joins other City facilities that have been recognized by the League of American Bicyclists, including these sites that have all previously been recognized with Bronze designation:
- Water Administration Building,
- Water Pollution Control Facility,
- Central Fire, and
- City Services Center.
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City Hall is the first City facility to be awarded Silver. City Hall was recognized as a bicycle friendly business for its focus on sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint, emphasis on health and wellness, and for providing affordable transportation options.
Evaluations that are considered include encouragement of bike culture, equity, education and outreach, evaluation and planning, and engineering. Specifically, City Hall was recognized for the following bike-friendly traits:
- Close proximity to bicycle facilities, such as dedicated bike path, trail system, bike lanes, public bike share stations, or public transit.
- Commitment to improving conditions for bicyclists in the community, such as trail maintenance, bike advocacy, local government committee (Bicycle Advisory Committee), partnership with bike advocacy organizations.
- Pursuit of accessible and welcoming amenities, such as City Hall ADA upgrades.
- Support and promotion of bicycling in the broader community, such as hosting bike events, facilitating bike share program, establishing “safe routes to school” for walkers, promote bike-related volunteer opportunities.
- Partnership with bike shops and advocacy groups such as Linn County Trails Association, Hall Bicycle Company, Corridor MPO, Northtowne Cycling and Fitness, and Goldfinch Cyclery.
- Outreach efforts and events, including educational group rides, social media, electronic newsletter, handouts/pamphlets and other material distributed to local businesses, table or booth at fairs or expos, etc. that focus on topics such as bicycle maintenance, traffic laws, bike maps, trails and routes, sharing the road, equipment and gear, theft prevention, local bike registration, etc.
Learn more
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Bever Park — New Neighborhood Association
The Bever Park Neighborhood Association became the City's newest neighborhood association in July, making it the twelfth organization to be formally recognized.
Residents formed around the goal of supporting the City's Parks Department, activating Bever Park and connecting with neighbors through programming.
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Neighborhood associations are a part of the City's Neighborhood Service Delivery Initiative, an effort designed connect residents with City leadership and their neighbors. Associations recognized by the City are eligible for funding toward events, sustainability programming and more.
Questions? Contact Jeff Wozencraft at j.wozencraft@cedar-rapids.org.
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